Expert Editing Tips from Best-Selling Authors
Aspiring authors often focus on the creative process of writing - plotting, characterization, and craft. But the most successful writers know that writing is only half the battle. The other half is editing. Editing is the process of refining your prose, polishing your work until it shines. In this article, we’ll share some expert editing tips from the best-selling authors.
1) Set aside time for editing
Writing a novel is a long-term project, and editing is an essential step to achieve your end goal. When you are setting up your writing schedule, make sure to allocate enough time for editing. Editing requires a different set of skills, which means you need to switch gears and approach your work from a different angle. Schedule your editing time when you are rested and have a fresh perspective.
2) Edit with a plan
Before you start editing, plan the steps you will take. Read through your work from beginning to end, noting down the areas that require improvement. Make a list of the issues you want to address, such as pacing, plot holes, and character development. Prioritize the issues that will have the most significant impact on the work. If you approach editing without a plan, you’ll end up tinkering with your prose without any clear goals in mind.
3) Show, don’t tell
One of the most significant challenges in writing is to give vital information to the readers without throwing it in their faces. Telling your audience what is happening in your story is a sign of poor writing, while showing them is the mark of a writer of excellence. When you have trouble with showing versus telling, try to use active verbs, descriptive details, and sensory language. Show the readers the story through the eyes of the characters and describe the world they live in.
4) Structure your prose
Good editing means making your writing as readable as possible, and one of the ways to achieve this is to think carefully about the structure of your prose. Manipulate the structure of your sentences to create rhythm and flow so that the prose reads well aloud. Use short paragraphs to emphasize important points and encourage the reader’s engagement. Additionally, break the text up with dialogue to create a sense of scene and pace.
5) Read your work aloud
When you read something to yourself, it’s easy to gloss over errors and assume that everything is fine. Reading your work aloud is an excellent way to catch sentences that don’t flow, awkward phrasing, and inconsistencies. By reading your writing aloud, you’ll identify areas where the rhythm needs adjustment, and you might even identify typos or grammatical mistakes that you’ve missed.
6) Stay objective
One of the most important aspects of editing is to stay objective about your own work. It’s easy to become attached to a particular scene or character and fail to see where improvements could be made. Be honest with yourself about the weaknesses in your work and tackle them head-on. One of the ways to approach this is to seek out feedback from trusted writing groups or professionals.
7) Be ruthless
The final tip from our best-selling authors is to be ruthless in your editing. Don’t be afraid to cut scenes or lines of dialogue that don’t add anything to the story. Be mindful of pacing and how long it takes to get from one event to another. If you’re having trouble cutting scenes, ask yourself whether they advance the plot or character development. Remember that the best writing is lean and focused.
In conclusion, the editing process can be daunting, but by following these tips from the best-selling authors, you’ll be on your way to producing polished and professional prose. Remember, editing is just as important as writing when it comes to creating compelling stories. With practice, a plan, and an objective approach, you can become an expert editor, too!